Pre-Revolutionary Iran-Saudi Arabia Relations: A Complex Tapestry of Cooperation and Underlying Tensions

In retrospect, the pre-1979 relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia under the Shah was a complex interplay of shared interests, particularly in the economic and security spheres, alongside underlying tensions stemming from regional ambitions, differing political and religious identities, and historical perceptions. This intricate dynamic laid the groundwork for the more overtly competitive and often confrontational relationship that would emerge in the wake of the Iranian Revolution.